Posted on: January 31st, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I am a Director in the Commercial Real Estate team, where I specialise in the acquisition, disposal, development, regeneration, financing, and management of high-value assets in commercial real estate, John acts for clients ranging from international real estate funds and listed house builders to private investors.
I joined Lawrence Stephens in 2025, having spent four years at Memery Crystal and seven years at sister brand Rosenblatt.
Experience
- Acting for a listed house builder on numerous strategic land acquisitions and serviced land parcel sales.
- Acting for a UK real estate investment group with a motor-trade focus on the disposal of a portfolio of 16 car dealerships.
- Acting for a private overseas investor on the acquisition of a Mayfair property for a luxury mixed-use development.
- Advising a Fortune 500 payment technology company on the letting and fit-out of their UK headquarters.
- Acting on the pre-let, development and subsequent investment sales of numerous retail, industrial and office sites.
- Advising a corporate finance advisory on the office acquisition and fit-out of an office floor in the Shard.
- Acting on the acquisition of a portfolio of 40 mixed tenure petrol filling stations for a roadside retail operator.
- Acting for various impact investors on multi-million pound rolling programmes of portfolio acquisitions of residential multi let properties to be leased to charities who specialise in rehousing ex offender, ex-military personal, the homeless and other vulnerable groups to be sub-sold and held by a fund to ensure the continued and long term use of the properties for social housing purposes.
Posted on: January 31st, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I am a Director in the Commercial Real Estate team, having joined Lawrence Stephens from Memery Crystal in January 2025.
I have extensive experience in a range of commercial real estate matters including acquisitions and disposals and landlord and tenant matters, as well as advising on development projects and property finance transactions. I also have many years of experience assisting residential real estate clients, specialising in the London prime central market.
Experience
- Acted on the purchase of a mixed use, occupied (serviced offices and hostel) building in Kensington.
- Acted for a buyer on the purchase of a Grade II Listed building in Belgravia, a development site to be converted into luxury apartments.
- Acted for a tenant being granted a 10-year lease of three-level office space in a prestigious, newly renovated Mayfair building.
- Assisted a corporate client on the sale of a care home site in Walthamstow.
- Acted for a corporate client, advising on property matters, in respect of a castle purchase in Shropshire.
- Advises the owners of a London based organic produce store with multiple sites across London.
Posted on: January 31st, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I am a Director in the Commercial Real Estate team, specialising in general commercial real estate with a mixture of investment, development, finance, occupier, and management work.
I also have has considerable experience dealing with distressed real estate on behalf of banks and insolvency practitioners.
Experience
- Acting on the acquisition of a portfolio of 15 mixed tenure petrol filling stations for a roadside retail operator.
- Acting on the acquisition and development of numerous new to industry petrol filling station sites for a roadside retail operator.
- Acting for various impact investors on multi-million pound rolling programmes of portfolio acquisitions of residential multi-let properties to be leased to charities who specialise in rehousing ex-offender, ex-military personnel, the homeless and other vulnerable groups to be sub-sold and held by a fund to ensure the continued and long term use of the properties for social housing purposes.
- Acting on the pre-let and forward sale of a Travelodge hotel.
- Acting on the pre-let, development and subsequent investment sales of numerous retail, industrial and office sites.
- Acting for a manufacturer on its land acquisition and subsequent development and financing of a bespoke distribution warehouse facility.
- Acting for liquidators on the disposal of a portfolio of over 140 freehold and leasehold pubs.
- Acting for administrators on the disposal of 5 mixed tenure business parks and associated management company structure.
- Acting for a hedge fund relocating to newly built office accommodation in the city and exiting them from their existing lease arrangements.
- Acting on numerous institutional office lettings for a leading developer and investor.
Posted on: January 31st, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I am a director in the Commercial Real Estate team, having joined Lawrence Stephens from Memery Crystal in January 2025.
I have gained extensive commercial property experience across a wide range of areas including development, pre-lettings, acquisitions and disposals, international project management, joint ventures and landlord and tenant matters.
Throughout my career, I have acted for major international and domestic clients including developers, funds, corporate occupiers and supermarkets within the office, industrial and retail sectors.
Posted on: November 26th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees
I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate Finance Team as a Senior Associate in October 2024. Before this, I spent approximately seven years at Edgware working as a secured lending solicitor. With over a decade of experience in all areas of property law, I possess extensive knowledge in various aspects of secured lending. This includes residential buy-to-let properties, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), commercial loans, bridging loans, and development financing. I have worked closely with professionals in the legal field, as well as financial intermediaries, underwriters, and credit managers.
I take pride in developing long-term relationships with my clients by providing practical, cost-effective legal advice and striving for solutions that best meet their needs. I welcome the challenge of delivering client solutions to achieve successful outcomes, whether that involves securing development financing or managing a straightforward commercial loan.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my children and engaging in activities such as cooking, swimming, and travelling. I prioritise maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Posted on: November 18th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees
I am a solicitor in the Real Estate Finance Department at Lawrence Stephens having joined in 2024.
I have over have seven years’ experience in real estate finance, acting for large lenders providing regulated buy-to-let loans, bridging loans and development loans secured over both residential and commercial security. I also act on deals secured with a portfolio of property. I have experience in acting on a dual representation basis for both the bank and borrower.
As my knowledge has been developed acting for one client with a large number of deals, I understand the importance of maintaining client trust and satisfaction. I pride myself on excellent communication and quality of work delivered with a personal and down to earth approach.
In my spare time, I enjoy trying to reach my Goodreads target, long walks stroking as many dogs as possible, eating good food and drinking great wine.
Career highlights
- £4million bridging loan over 14 new residential dwellings;
- £7million buy-to-let loan over a parade of high street shops; and
- £3million loan over two nursing homes.
